NZ Avsec celebrates world-first success of Pacific graduate

New Zealand’s Aviation Security Service (‘Avsec’) is thrilled that its partnership with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade and Tonga Airports Limited (TAL) has resulted in an aviation security trainer from TAL graduating from an internationally renowned course.

Eizo Ve’ehala and a participant from Fiji Airways are the first two Pacific Island aviation industry employees to successfully complete the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Aviation Security Professional Management Course run in conjunction with Concordia University in Canada. Sixteen others from the Asia Pacific region also graduated from the course on 16 November 2015.

Mr Ve’ehala’s tuition fees and travel costs for the three-month course in Auckland were split between Avsec and TAL.

His success reflects a “win/win” investment. New skills and access to a global network of aviation security experts mean that Mr Ve’ehala is equipped to support TAL’s development, now and into the future.

Avsec proactively works to build aviation security capability in Pacific Island countries (PICs) that are ‘last points of departure’ to New Zealand, one of which is Tonga, and is extremely proud of Mr Ve’ehala’s achievement.

“This is great news for our Pacific Island colleagues, their organisations and their countries to have a world-recognised achievement,” says Athol Glover, Avsec’s Manager International Development.

“I also acknowledge the contribution made by Viliami Maake, Chief Executive of TAL, who had no hesitation in providing a 50% financial contribution towards Eizo’s PMC attendance”.

Mr Glover hopes to hold a ceremony to acknowledge Mr Ve’ehala’s success and recognise TAL’s support during his next visit to Tonga.

ENDS

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